bradgreene

I would like any tips on painting a tank that has a lot of photo-etch clamps. Do you paint it with the tools already attached to the clamps or do you paint it and install the tools later? I am worried that if the tank is painted without the tools that the paint will prevent the PE clamps from opening when it's time to install the tools. Will the tamiya primer affect the clamps? I find it easier to paint the tools separately. BTW, all the paints are acrylic. Thanks very much.

RichJohnson

I have never used PE clamps, all my tools are glued on, but I paint the tank, then the tools, weather the tools and tank seperately and then apply the tools. Then Test fit stowage and finally glue and tie it on.

TheBennyB

Painting PE clamps can definitely gob them up. Found this out the hard way on my JT. Best bet would be to paint them, then before it's completely set move them to keep them free.
If your airbrushing not as big a deal but if your going for a base coat with a rattle can it goes on much thicker.

bradgreene

Thank you all for your replies. I guess I would have to forgo the Tamiya rattle can primer and use the Tamiya surface primer in a bottle, thin it and airbrush it on. The idea to move them before the paint hardens is also good and I will try that too.

Pah co chu puk

Strip the insulation off a piece of wire the right size and slip it over the threads before you paint. The right size will "screw" on and off. The threads will be protected from the paint.

ausf

If you prepaint to tools completely, you can mask them with thin paper, taping or tying it on, then install and spray away. Just pull the paper out before the final coat gets too hard.

tomhugill

Never had an issue painting my pe clamps then adding the tools later and gluing them down, both the aver and voyager types. Don't go to heavy with the paint and you'll be ok

Super18

Nice...